Yay!!
It's finally here!!! Summer vacation!! (and it's about time!)
It's been a very long year, and there's no shortage of things that happened this year to blog about. Just... apparently I stink at keeping up on my blog! If I was to chronicle all of it, this would be a uniquely long and probably very boring post where I just brag about all of the stuff I have been doing where it isn't particularly relevant to you! However, I'm glad you're here, and I'll share with you some of my thoughts.
A new year...
This year began my second year of teaching. While it was definitely not a picnic, it was far better than my first year! It started the usual way, scaring seventh graders into behaving in middle school, introducing classroom procedures, and getting music ready for a performance ...on the first day of school! Before school even started, we had to get together the school song and fight song to play at an assembly. Good times...
I don't mean to outline everything I've done the last two years. There are lots of other people doing just as much or more than what I do. But I feel like putting this here will help me sort through some of the stuff floating around in my head... like... what to do next fall? Or, which adventure is next? SO bear with me for two (long) paragraphs. It's helping me! :-)
Pretty soon, it was pep band, play practice (we did Footloose this year - that's a whole 'nother blog post in itself!), all-state choir, and plenty of "homework" to do to keep on top of things for my classes, at least two parades, new shirts, lots of misplaced paperwork... Oh, yes, and monthly 6:45 trainings for the new "ISTEP" program in Utah... which we apparently piloted.... I was invited to be the church choir director on top of my teaching duties, and later became the "standby" organist - turning out to be the "full time" organist... and choir accompanist (surprise!!). This year, we had 12 in the pep band - an improvement from last year's 9. We had a few marching bands come and use the field at the school, so I spent a day outside with my band watching them rehearse for competition, we had a communal lunch with them, and I convinced (maybe just conned) some kids into staying in band because of these other bands being so amazing. Veteran's day assembly, the school play opens, Thanksgiving... Plenty of musical adventures! Christmas concert, and I got all the music copies put away before we left for winter break!! (that's actually huge...) Last year, I was at the school three times over winter break to get the music put up... (apparently this all happens in the first 16 weeks of school... the more I think about it, the more I realize that it was insanity for all those days)
Then, we return from winter break!
Honor choir, UMEA, honor bands, basketball band (which - has a slightly different combination of students - some who played football are now in, and some who are playing basketball are now out), solo and ensemble (region and state), region festival (we hosted this year), state basketball competition (away games... 2 hours away...), end of year concert, graduation - (which I might add includes three musical numbers by the entire senior class), singing valentines, community performances... The fun never ends! The week before school let out, we had a guest performance from a middle school in the district. They came and played for us - it was awesome. :-)
While I wish things got easier in the second half - it's simply not the case. In fact, I'm starting to think that, well, maybe it's time to move on to something different! Don't throw things at me just yet! I was thinking I might want to take a different teaching position - somewhere a little bigger and a little less... different.
Second week of March, I get a non-renewal notice - no job in the fall. TAILSPIN! That changes everything, you know!! The last 12 weeks of school were rough! But, we all made it through. I didn't hurt anybody, managed to pull off an amazing "collage" concert, hosted the region festival (which went quite well) and got everything put away, cleaned up, and ready so I could turn in the keys on the last day of school. One decision was definitely made - I'm not back at the school next year...
So -
that opens up a new can of worms. Now that I've had almost two weeks to "decompress," I'm wondering if teaching is really what I want to do. I mean - don't get me wrong - I love working in the classroom, giving new opportunities to the kids, developing their musical skills, pushing myself (and everyone else) beyond their current capacity, and even going on these trips and outings! What's the issue? I'm totally exhausted all the bloody time. Can't even sleep for being so tired!! (actually, that's not true... it's the nightmares of being trapped in the building that were the issue) That's not really a way to live... Pay is good, the kids are great, and [most] parents and coworkers are awesome!
But!
There isn't much "personal time." (Is that even a thing anymore?) I mean, there's either no time or no energy to go do other stuff (usually don't line up... I guess that's part of being an adult), and I would love to have gone on a few dates!
Anyway -
I'm strongly considering moving into another career field... (and maybe a new city) Perhaps one that I don't have to be everything to everyone... (does that exist?). I might keep teaching, but so far have only two interviews (one is forthcoming; put in tons of applications) and haven't had much success yet... The signs are kinda pointing in other directions!
Summer Fun
Last year, at some point, I went to the local Chinese restaurant - the food was great - and at the end, I got one of those fortune cookies. When I read the little paper inside, it said, "Next summer, you will march to a different beat." I thought it was funny - I mean - I teach drummers, I march, and, well, it was just funny to me! Well, here I am!
Now that it's summer, I'm trying to figure out just what I want to do. I kept thinking of all these awesome things last year - and I wish I'd written them down!! So, aside from looking for new work, I'm also looking for something to do.
I'll practice my bassoon, clean up around the apartment, do some computer training, and maybe I'll even go on some wild adventure - gonna hit up the beach or maybe the grand canyon (I mean, it's only four hours from here...)! One thing is certain, I need to go see my sister in Colorado... There's a new nephew I haven't seen yet! (and he's already a year old!!)
So, dear readers... what are your plans this summer?
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